The Artisan Crafted Legacy of MayanCraft
Our Story
A Family Business with Deeper Roots
MayanCraft wasn’t born in a business plan. It was born in Antigua Guatemala, in a small artisan shop opened by Don Carlos Rochac and Alma Argueta more than 15 years ago. Their daughter, Albita, grew up surrounded by textiles, handmade crafts, and constant stories of artisans traveling for hours to sell their work. The shop became known for one thing above all: honesty.
Don Carlos made it clear from the beginning — prices must be fair for both sides. For the artisan and for the buyer. That simple rule brought them clients from Japan, the U.S., Europe, and beyond. One of their first big buyers came from Japan. They trusted the process even when it was imperfect — packaging wasn’t great, quality control was inconsistent. But the transparency? That’s what kept them coming back.
Seeing the Gaps — and Building MayanCraft
Albita had spent years working in NGOs and growing up in Panajachel, where she packed products for her father as a child. She knew something was missing. She saw that artisans weren’t always protected. Packaging wasn’t reliable. Orders weren’t being tracked professionally. And too often, artisans were being pressured to accept unfair prices.
That’s when MayanCraft was born — not as a brand, but as a better system. A way to protect makers, respect buyers, and create long-term partnerships based on fairness. Today, Don Carlos continues with the retail store IXCACO, and Albita leads MayanCraft — focused entirely on artisan crafted wholesale for clients around the world.
The People Behind the Work
We work with artisan groups from Chichicastenango, communities around Lake Atitlán, and parts of Cobán. Each group brings their own weaving patterns, colors, and ancestral textile traditions. Some work with recycled huipiles. Others use backstrap looms that haven’t changed in generations.
And yes — there are other companies in Guatemala that sell artisan goods. But many act as resellers, pushing artisans to lower their prices or threatening to cancel deals last minute. We don’t do that. We pay artisans what they ask — then we add our fair percentage, openly. We also help them adjust or improve techniques when needed, especially when clients request specific standards.
Professionalizing the Backstage
Estuardo Monroy, Albita’s husband, plays a key role in making sure the back office runs smoothly. While Albita leads product development and artisan collaboration, Estuardo handles administration: taxes, international payments, export compliance, customs management — all the behind-the-scenes work that makes MayanCraft sustainable.
Most artisans don’t have formal invoices. Many clients pay in foreign currencies. Export logistics in Guatemala are delicate. Estuardo built a system that respects everyone — clean, legal, and functional. His background in marketing and business consulting brought in expert developers, photographers, and even travelers passing through Panajachel, all contributing to the digital vision of MayanCraft.
What "Artisan Crafted" Really Means
We see “artisan crafted” as a responsibility. It’s not just about handmade. It’s about intentional, ethical, deeply human production. Every item we ship carries someone’s time, someone’s pride. That’s why we curate every order, pack with care, and build long-term relationships — not just transactions.
When you buy artisan crafted goods from MayanCraft, you’re not only supporting indigenous communities. You’re participating in a supply chain that values everyone.
Gratitude to Our Clients
Some of our wholesale clients have been with us for over a decade. They’ve seen the evolution — from hand-packed boxes and spreadsheets to quality assurance reports, QR-coded inventory, and export-ready packaging. Their patience, their feedback, and their respect have shaped us.
To those who gave us a chance early on: thank you. To those who trust us now: we’ll keep earning it.
More Than a Craft Wholesale Store
Yes, MayanCraft is a wholesale platform. But it’s also a bridge. Between tradition and the modern world. Between Guatemalan communities and buyers in Tokyo, Paris, New York. Between stories told in thread and stories shared across oceans.
We don’t want to be the biggest. We just want to be honest — and useful.
Explore Our Artisan Crafted Collections
Every collection tells a different story. Some in indigo. Some in deep Mayan reds. Some stitched by hand, others woven on looms under trees. All of them artisan crafted, and all of them made to last.